Comp #117 - Flags - Vote Here!

[Oldthumbs]

Well, from sixteen entries last week to only six this week. I guess it's easier finding the center than finding a flag.

Don't forget, we are judging technical merit, artistic merit, and that thing that makes us go, "Wow!" Posted full-size below, evaluate them all and vote for one.


1) Friendly Neighbours





2) Time to Celebrate





3) Flying from the Top





4) Stars and Bars





5) American Porch





6) Big Flag





That's it, folks. Vote away.

Ray

[Windbreaker]

Ray it looks as if you got some really good entries. Sorry I did not enter but this week was busy and I had nothing you all have not seen. Just didn't have time. I'll try to do a crit. later but I can tell you now there are three that jump at me.

[damar]

Thanks Ray for hosting this week's comp!

I'll offer up a brief C&C, --insert "JMHO" disclaimer here--

#1 Friendly Neighbors: I like the title, this one is on topic, viewing slightly over-sharpened on my screen. The uneven lighting and shadows steal a little of the wow.

#2 Time To Celebrate: I like this composition and the banner. The overcast sky stole the sparkle; maybe a close crop on just the banner would have allowed the photographer to pull in more light?

#3 Flying From The Top: On topic, I think cropping some off the right side and the bottom would have taken the destracting details out of the lower right hand corner and put more emphasis back on the flag. There are focus issues here and the monochromatic and grain doesn't catch my eye. Sorry.

#4 Stars and Bars: On topic, good lighting; bold color adds wow.

#5 American Porch: On topic and I love the porch and rocker! Ok, there's a lot of white and I'm seeing a slight cyan color imbalance in the white. I may have just zoomed in on that beautiful quilted flag pillow and the rocker, but I do like the porch scene too.

#6 BIG Flag: Oh yes it is! On topic..what a cool photo! Looks slightly over sharpened on my screen; the shadow on the flag is a nit, but I understand the angle of the shot.
This one has wow.

Good going!

[mlgkats]

first of all happy 4th of july.
everyone did a great job.

1 and 4 and 5 are my favorites.
it is really hard to vote.
thank you ray
melynda

[moccasin]

Originally Posted by mlgkats

first of all happy 4th of july.

Since this is only July 1st - I am sure you meant to say "Happy Canada Day" - didn't you????

***

Some good entries this week ...

I see where you are noticing the oversharpening, damar. I agree.

Cheers,
Sue

[mlgkats]

yes happy canada to you, you know i should know this because my grandparents and there relatives are from canada.

Originally Posted by moccasin

Since this is only July 1st - I am sure you meant to say "Happy Canada Day" - didn't you????

***

Some good entries this week ...

I see where you are noticing the oversharpening, damar. I agree.

Cheers,
Sue

[Windbreaker]

1. Friendly Neighbours - Good flow, sharp, maybe a little over sharpened but I don't think it is very much. This one got my vote!

2. Time to Celebrate - Not sure this is a flag, looks more like a banner to me. Any way I think a little darkroom time might have helped with the sky, I know how difficult that can be but sometimes there are things we can do that will help a little also there is a little motion blur eather that or my eye are older than I thought.

3. Flying from the Top - This is way to busy with the white over riding the flag. However; with different cropping this could work well. I zoomed in to 200%, put the flag in the upper left third and liked what I saw. The sepia and grain worked very well with the tattered flag to make it look as if it belonged flying over a French fort in north Africa. Just had that ol' Bogart feel to it.

4. Stars and Bars - First off this is not "Stars and Bars" that is the name of the the Confederate Battle Flag. Other than that I like it. Bright, lively, colorful, sharp focus, overall very good entry. (I've never seen that method of construction before.)

5. American Porch - Love this! Koodoos to the person who lives in that house. The photo is well composed, sharply focused and just grabs the eye. I would have liked to have seen a little more saturation of the reds to cause it to pop a little more. The flowers look right but the reds seem a little subdued to me.


6. Big Flag - Wow, that must have been something to see. This works but I would have tried a little different take on it, full monte or full rear with the ladders on the thirds. I think that would have been a little more formal presentation.

I mean no offence to anyone just offering my humble thoughts.

Well done everyone.

Thanks putting this together Ray.

[DesertDarlene]

I like #s 1 and 4 the best. I think the close cropping really makes the difference with those two. #5 gives me a feeling of nostalgia.

(I also like the Canadian flag on #1 and it really speaks to me because half my family is from Canada and our family has a long history there.)

[Windy]

Well here goes ....

1) Friendly Neighbours
Well composed, very vivid! A crisp clear image that has lots of wow for me.


2) Time to Celebrate
An interesting subject. The composition was not as strong as it could have been and I feel it needs a little sharpening to make the edges "pop"


3) Flying from the Top
Mildly interesting composition. Lacks tonal range. Not sure the sepia(?) did the image any favours. There is a lot of noise in this picture and it is very soft. Misses the boat on just about all counts.


4) Stars and Bars
A lovely shot, nice and clear, well blalanced but just not enough "wow" for me.


5) American Porch
A very nice shot, a great combination of flags too. Again I feel as though the image may be a little soft. A levels adjustment would have helped also.


6) Big Flag
Wow that is a big flag. Well spotted. Nicely composed and exposed.

Remember these are only personal opinions and are not meant to cause offence.

[Oldthumbs]

LOL - I forgot that I hosted this competition and I was waiting for the host to post the results. Sheesh - senility is so much fun.

First Place - Sue (moccasin) - Friendly Neighbours

Second Place - damar - Stars and Bars

Third Place - Natalie (Dreamin) - American Porch

Fourth Place - Wendy (Windy) - Flying from the Top

Tie for Fifth Place ( ) - Melynda (mlgkats) - Time to Celebrate
Ray (Oldthumbs) - Big Flag

Thank you all for entering, thanks to all who voted, and a big thank you to all who offered up their critiques.

Ray

[Windbreaker]

Congrats Winners! and thanks for hosting Ray, even if you are forgetfull.

[DesertDarlene]

Yay, to the winners!

[debsn2paintn]

Congrats.... Sue, Damar and Natalie

[damar]

Thanks Ray for hosting the comp!
Thanks to all who voted, commented and submitted entries!!!
Congrats Sue, and Natalie!


Don't forget Wendy's "Unlikey Subjects" comp!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=430217
We have a few new members over the last several weeks and it would be great to see them jump in with with an entry!

[Dreamin]

Yes! Thank you, Ray for hosting this comp!

Congrats Sue, and Damar!

And DITTO: BIG Thanks to all who voted, commented and submitted entries!!!

We always get about 20 to 25 voters....if only they would all enter the comps! The more the merrier!!